KENDALL PARK, N.J.- The billy goat curse of 1945, the black cat curse of 1969, the Leon Durham curse of 1984 and most recently the Steve Bartman curse of 2003. No matter which infamous “curse” you associate with America’s lovable losers, the 2016 Chicago Cubs have put them all to rest. After a 108 year World Series drought, the Chicago Cubs are finally World Series champions.
Following loses in Game 3 and Game 4 at Wrigley Field, and a 3-1 series deficit, the agony of defeat once again loomed over the Chicago Cubs. A city that has waited 108 years was about to have its heart crushed, again. The least they could do for the hometown faithful was to not allow the Cleveland Indians to celebrate a drought ending World Series championship of their own at the friendly confines.
The Cubs won their first World Series game at Wrigley since 1945 in Game 5 behind their ace, Jon Lester who delivered 6 brilliant innings. The franchise, Kris Bryant jolted one deep into the Chicago night sky, finally giving the home crowd something to cheer for. Back in Cleveland at for Game 6 the Cubs wasted no time. Kris Bryant put the Cubs up 1-0 with a solo blast in the first followed by a 2 run double by Addison Russell who followed that up with a 3rd inning grand-slam, 7-0 Cubbies. Series tied 3-3, on to Game 7.
The illustrious Game 7. The game every kid imagines themselves playing in, “Game 7 of the World Series, bottom of the 9th, 2 outs, tie game.”
Of the 38 World Series game seven’s in Major League history, this one ranks among the best ever. Winner take all. Cleveland Indians vs. Chicago Cubs. 1948 verses 1908, 68 verses 108. The winner, World Series champions, ending decades of pain and suffering, the ultimate reward for those who have never given up hope. The loser, so close, heartbroken, left wondering if they will ever get to see their team on top.
A leadoff home run on the games 4th pitch, a baserunning gamble that paid off, a solo home run off the best reliever in baseball by a 39 year-old backup catcher playing in the final game of his career. A wild pitch that scored 2 runs, a game-tying 2-run home run by the unlikeliest of threats. Not even 27 outs was enough to decide baseball’s champion. Extra innings and a 17 minute rain delay. Followed by a RBI double by a gritty veteran and an insurance run delivered by the third Cubs catcher used in the game, in just his 12th postseason at-bat. An 8-6 needing 3 outs to pop the champagne. 2 quick outs followed by a walk and a run scoring single by a familiar source, 8-7.
12:47 a.m. Eastern Standard time, November 3, 2016.
“Here’s the 0-1, this is going to be a tough play, Bryant pause the Cubs…WIN THE WORLD SERIES! Bryant makes the play! It’s over! And the Cubs have finally won it all! 8-7 in 10.”
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